Evaluation of Colonization in Adult Patients Undergoing Tonsillectomy for Recurrent Tonsillitis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

() is often recovered from the pharynx. However, the role of this pathogen in the etiology of tonsillar inflammation is still unclear and complicated due to frequent carriage of . The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency and the clinical importance of colonization and biofilm production ability in patients with recurrent tonsillitis (RT) using patient samples from tonsillar crypts during tonsillectomy, and from the throat, nasal cavity, and armpits after tonsillectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A case series study was carried out at a tertiary referral center among 16 patients diagnosed with RT who were undergoing tonsillectomy. Samples from tonsillar crypts were obtained during tonsillectomy, and samples from the throat, nasal cavity, and armpit were obtained a year after surgery. An evaluation of incidence, biofilm formation, and antibacterial susceptibility was performed.

RESULTS

During tonsillectomy, 16 strains of were isolated from 16 patients, while 15/16 strains were biofilm producers. A year after tonsillectomy, 8 strains were isolated from 6 out of 16 patients, while 6/8 strains were biofilm producers. After tonsillectomy, 3 patients showed in throat culture.

CONCLUSIONS

In 10/16 cases was the causative agent of RT, in 4/16 cases patients had a predisposition to colonization of , and in 2/16 cases was a part of the patients` oral microbiome. Tonsillectomy results in less frequent isolation of strains.